Theme

Simply put, a theme of a particular work is not the subject but the central idea of the story. It is a broad idea (main idea), or a message conveyed by a work. This message is usually about life, society or human nature. The tricky part is trying to distinguish between a pattern and a theme.

For starters, a theme can be a pattern (and in Gary Soto’s case, usually is) but a pattern is not always a theme. For example, the setting in Gary Soto’s writing often take place in Fresno, California. This, as we have discussed in class, is a pattern. We see it time and time again – whether in short stories like “The Karate Kid” or poems like “A Red Palm.” This pattern, as you might have already guessed, is not a theme. A theme has to be a part of the main idea of the story.

This is how you can tell the difference: If you can take a pattern and replace it with another place, race, or experience and the overall main idea of the story stays the same, then you do not have a theme.

So, if we were to set the location of “The Karate Kid” in Florida, would the main idea change? Probably not. What if we put the characters in Canada? Nope, the main idea would still stay the same. Thus, the setting is not a theme (at least in this case), and is only a pattern.

Some themes in Gary Soto’s writing include:

Love

What would happen if you took the search for love out of Novio Boy? Do you think the main idea of the story would change?

Friendship

What would happen if you took the friendship out of Novio Boy? Do you think that Rudy would be the same without the support of his friend?

Family

In “A Red Palm,” why is he working so hard in the fields? What is his motivation to cut another row?

These are only a few of the themes that can be found throughout the works of Gary Soto. Remember, a theme does not have to be a pattern. But, if you look hard enough, you just might find some of these themes in other stories as well.